Quick Fixes to Increase Value

Home inspections give buyers a second chance to renegotiate their initial offer or, sometimes, to withdraw their offer. It is important to understand that, usually, inspections bring up some issues that need to be addressed. In most cases, the initial offer would be amended to accommodate some of the issues. That means less money for the seller!

In order to minimize the potential impact of an inspection, we recommend to self-inspect the home before putting it on the market. Sellers can beat the inspector to it by addressing the issues themselves, as part of preparing their house for sale. Here are basic elements that a home inspector will check:

Exterior:

Doors and windows

Siding (brick, stone, stucco, vinyl, wood, etc.)

Driveways/sidewalks

Attached porches, decks, and balconies

Interior:

Walls, ceilings and floors

Steps, stairways, and railings

Countertops and cabinets

Garage doors and garage door systems

An inspector will also check the roof, plumbing, electrical, heating/air-conditioning systems, fireplaces. Knowing what is involved with checking all of these big items, some sellers elect to hire an inspector before the marketing process begins. The report becomes part of the presentation package, along with the receipts of any repairs that were done as a result of the inspection.